Reid’s Big News

It’s been a big weekend for me. I wanted to kind of maintain radio silence until I had a few things taken care of, but here goes.

First the good news. Kimberly and I are on a 90-day health challenge, I’m down ten pounds in two weeks.

And now, the bad news. Friday, I was let go from the radio station. No real explanation of any substance. They wanted to “change the direction” of my show.

Make your own jokes here, kids.

Really though, I knew it was coming. I work in a business where no one can keep secrets and no one is nearly as sneaky as they think they are, so it wasn’t unexpected. I knew the guy they’re hiring was coming when he turned his notice in at the TV station. I had quite a while to see it coming.

And in some ways, it’s appreciated. It’s been a Hell of a summer. We’ve had paychecks bounce, confusion abounds, and morale was low. At one point a few weeks ago we had our phones turned off.

I’ll simply point out that makes it very difficult to do a call-in radio show.

And sometimes for fun, I'd broadcast from high above the Earth. I was going up to 60'.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d rather be employed right now, but I certainly won’t miss the stress. I was loyal the entire time I was employed there and busted my tail to make things happen, and I still wish them well. I’ve worked with some amazing people there and put together a damn good radio show. I’ve done live shows from Super Bowl week, the Cotton Bowl, New Orleans, and all over East Texas. I got to talk to the top experts on every sport, and to open the phone lines and hear what my listeners had to say every day. I got to get to know and hang out with the amazing Chris Stuckey, eat at Dudley’s every Thursday, and talk to the great John Ray every afternoon.

No regrets here at all. I had good times and proud moments. I’ll miss it, and miss them.

But on with life.

I had a good friend ask me a simple question. “What’s next?”

I honestly don’t know.

Yeah, they built this. Pretty cool, eh?

We Kerrs are a hard-working bunch. My mom and dad have a work ethic that staggers the imagination. The last time I was without a full-time job, it was December of 1989. I can remember, because on my first weekend off I went to see “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” in the theater. It still holds up.

So I’m not really sure what to do next. In my adult life, I’ve never been without somewhere to go on Monday morning, but I’ll figure something out.

Things have already started happening. I do know I’ll be back in the booth Friday nights broadcasting Jacksonville Indians football games this season with an old friend of mine, Matt Montgomery. It was an unexpected pleasure to be able to go back to a play-by-play gig that I loved doing, and only gave up because of my TV responsibilities.

As for the day job, that’s up in the air for the moment. I’ve got a lot of things to catch up on, and a really supportive family. My mom and dad were in town Friday on vacation, and Lovely Wife Kimberly has been a rock for me. If not for my loved ones right now, I don’t know where I’d be. They mean the world to me, and I wouldn’t have made it through this weekend without them.

For now, I’m out of a job. Oh, and a phone, also. If you’ve got my old phone number, throw it away and message me for the new one. I’m always available on Facebook and Twitter through my personal accounts.

Last show, Dudleys, me and my Pop.

By the way, if I have anything you’ve ever wanted, this would probably be a good time to try and buy it from me. I’ll be a human Craiglist until I get a new job. Furniture, musical instruments, kidneys, whatever, just hit me up.

Today starts the next phase of my life, which appears to be the one with nothing to do on Monday mornings. Honestly, I’m excited and scared at the same time. It’s a new experience for me. I have endless opportunity, rather than overwhelming responsibility.

On with life.

— Reid Kerr is probably going to be doing a lot more writing soon.

PS: By the way, one of my proudest moments? My last show, although no one knew it at the time. My mom and dad came up from Beaumont just to watch me. I hope I made them proud, because I’m proud to be their son every day of my life.

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7 Responses to “Reid’s Big News”

You know we are proud of you especially now! You are certainly handling this well. With Kimberly beside you and all those folks who have commented on Facebook behind you, we know you will be all right. We look forward to seeing the next direction your life will take! Love you!
Mom and Dad
PS Dad said you can forget the preaching fee-he won’t bill you for it after all!

Hey bud just letting you know that im thankful for the great show you have provided to us here in east texas. I enjoyed the show from the start till the end.. sad to say but the show is not as good without you. Very boring and bland… Well anyhow thanks for all the laughs you provided me making my day just a little bit easier and always ending the drive on a good note. Thanks man and good luck.

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